Illustration to go with public speaking worklife story. Illustration by Tyswan Stewart / Times Union

Illustration to go with public speaking worklife story....

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Dale Klein is a corporate communication and speech specialist and the owner of Profitable Speech in Clifton Park. (Dale Klein)

Dale Klein is a corporate communication and speech specialist and...

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Carla Kimball of Hartland, Vt., founder of RiverWays Enterprises, said she encourages clients to slow down and take a breath, not only before but also during a presentation. Kimball said slowing down internally helps people to find an answer and to "trust that their natural response will be enough." (Carla Kimball)

Carla Kimball of Hartland, Vt., founder of RiverWays Enterprises,...

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Dale Klein, corporate communication and speech specialist and the owner of Profitable Speech in Clifton Park, says speakers should be aware of their posture, both when standing and sitting. Women speakers in particular, she said, have a tendency to "take more of a diminutive stance." This can mean slouching, leaning over, or even just crossing their legs when seated. One important element in her training, she said, is learning to "really fill the space that you occupy." (Dale Klein)

Photo: Rob Totaro

Dale Klein, corporate communication and speech specialist and the...

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In his new book, "Everyone Can Be a Dynamic Public Speaker: Yes, I Mean You!," speaking coach Mark Grimm of Guilderland reminds readers that Americans' No. 1 fear, ahead even of dying, is public speaking. He paraphrases Jerry Seinfeld: "That means at a funeral the average person would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy." (Mark Grimm)

In his new book, "Everyone Can Be a Dynamic Public Speaker: Yes, I Mean You!," speaking coach Mark Grimm of Guilderland reminds readers that Americans' No. 1 fear, ahead even of dying, is public speaking. He paraphrases Jerry Seinfeld: "That means at a funeral the average person would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy."

Even the most successful leaders can dread public speaking. Grimm worked with an Army colonel who had commanded an entire battalion in Iraq but who went weak in the knees at the thought of giving a speech.

But whether it's presenting an idea to co-workers, pitching a design to a potential client, or giving a paper at an industry conference, public speaking is hard to avoid at work. And as your level of responsibility rises, Grimm notes, the opportunities and the pressure to perform as a speaker only increase.

When most people learn they will have to give a speech, Grimm said, they start worrying about how they will come across and what they will wear. "Wrong approach," he said.

He suggests, instead, making it all about your listeners. "What we should be asking is, 'Who is the audience, and what do they want?'" The best way to deliver what the audience wants, he said, is to know what that is.

So whenever he's scheduled to give a presentation about the topic of public speaking, he emails the person in charge — and all the participants as well, when possible — in advance to ask for one specific thing they'd like to take away from the talk.

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Talk that talk

All three experts offered a few tips on things you can start to do right away to improve your skills as a public speaker:

Mark Grimm, speaking coach from Guilderland

"There are plenty of opportunities out there for practicing public speaking. Take advantage of them! In a meeting at work, when someone asks for input, speak up. Attend a political forum and ask a question or offer your opinion. Civic organizations such as Rotary, Girl Scouts or the United Way always need speakers to speak at meetings or to the public. Try getting up to speak at a social or religious event at your place of worship — you will not find a friendlier audience."

Dale Klein, corporate communication and speech specialist and the owner of Profitable Speech in Clifton Park

"Use audiotapes and videotapes to become more aware of your own presence. Sometimes with clients I will ask to videotape them. Often they aren't thrilled by that, but it helps us to see what are some things that can be improved."

Carla Kimball, public speaking presence coach in Hartland, Vt.

"Clients are often surprised when I encourage them to start a daily meditation practice, and to take time every day to slow down and get quiet. These are skills that I want them to develop on a long-term basis, integrated into their lives so that when they're feeling anxious, they're able to manage it better."

Carla Kimball: two PDF workbooks are available on her website — "The Speaking Presence Toolkit" and "The ABCs of Presence in Speaking, Leading, and Life!" $35 each, or $65 for both http://www.riverways.com

An example of a helpful response Grimm has received is: "I would say my greatest weakness actually comes at the end of the presentation, when the questions start. How can I really pay attention to what people are asking, while formulating a response?"

This is a question that another expert, public speaking presence coach Carla Kimball of Hartland, Vt., also loves to be asked.

Kimball, founder of RiverWays Enterprises, said she encourages clients to slow down and take a breath, not only before but also during a presentation. Kimball said slowing down internally helps people to find an answer and to "trust that their natural response will be enough."

"It's OK to repeat the question," she said. "You can say, 'Let me think about that for a second.' Or open it up to general discussion and say, 'That's an interesting question. Does anyone have any thoughts about it?'"

Speakers sometimes hope that if they don't really look at anyone, but just stare at the wall behind the audience's heads, they will feel less frightened. In fact, she said, that only makes them feel more alone. Connecting with one listener at a time, instead, is key.

Her work focuses on encouraging clients to drop all pretenses and become "fully authentic," so that they can really connect.

Another local expert, Dale Klein, also talks about presence, but with a different emphasis. Klein is a corporate communication and speech specialist and the owner of Profitable Speech in Clifton Park. Klein works with clients, many of whom are concerned about their credibility or professional presence, on increasing their "entire presence."

Be aware, she recommends, of your posture, both when standing and sitting. Women speakers in particular, she said, have a tendency to "take more of a diminutive stance." This can mean slouching, leaning over, or even just crossing their legs when seated. One important element in her training, she said, is learning to "really fill the space that you occupy."

Using the voice effectively is important, too, Klein said. Learning to improve your breath support helps not only with projection but with managing nerves, she said.

Klein has one client she has never actually met, a banker in Texas, who she works with by Skype. Each time the client comes up for a promotion, she contacts Klein, who advises her on specific techniques she can use in interviews. The client has gotten all of the promotions, Klein said.

Grimm points out in his book that many speakers are afraid of feedback.

"Every speech is an opportunity to get better," he writes, "provided we ask for feedback, and we have enough humility to capitalize on it."